Dr. Erin O’Connor is an animal chiropractor, board certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and naturopathic carnivore nutrition consultant, board certified by the American Council of Animal Naturopathy. She holds a doctorate in chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. She continued her education in animal chiropractic at Parker University in Dallas, TX. After opening her practice in the fall of 2010, she observed how much happier and healthier raw fed dogs and cats were and continued her education with the American Council of Animal Naturopathy to provide nutrition services to her clients. She currently provides chiropractic care for patients at her clinic, Vitality Chiropractic Center, as well as Autumn Green Animal Hospital once a week. In addition, she volunteers her services at a local wildlife center.
Oh, hello!
If you'd like the nitty gritty informal bio on me, here it goes...
(For professional, scroll down to my Curriculum Vitae.)
I reside in the western suburbs of Chicago in Aurora, IL. I met my husband in cadaver lab at Palmer College. We've been together since 2007, married in 2010. We have a sweet 13 year old border collie named Lolo, a 7 year old German shepherd named Onyx, a 2 year old Italian greyhound named Aria, a 4 year old cat named Kaboom, and a jibber jabbering 19 year old African grey parrot named Tequila. Also, always in my heart, an Italian greyhound named Bella who passed at 14.5 years- still running, jumping, and even hiking and rock climbing with ease until the end.
The underwater world is such an amazing place. I love to scuba dive, snorkel, and everything about the ocean. I could stay in there for hours. I became a PADI open water diver in 2003 and have loved every dive I've ever gone on, from bitter cold and deep wreck dives out in choppy international waters to nice warm and clear tropical dives.
I also enjoy going on trails out in nature, usually with a dog or two... or three. I find kayaking fun and relaxing, sometimes my Italian greyhound or border collie join me, in doggles and a life jacket, of course. ;)
I love learning about science topics (that is partly how I got into my field in the first place). I was an anatomy and physiology professor for a few years, teaching students going into various health fields, such as physician assistants, PTs, and nurses. However, I took off my teaching hat so I can focus on my patients.
My pets and I participate in activities. We train, do agility, trick dog, obedience, have dipped our feet in duck and sheep herding and swimming. Even the cat knows some tricks, such as jumping through a hoop, twirling, and giving paw. Although we are active, that's not to say we don't enjoy a lazy day cuddling in a giant dog and cat pile on the couch.
I have been involved in the arts most of my life. As a kid I was involved in figure skating, ballet, and art classes. Although not as often as the past, I still create art in various media, such as paint, pencil, charcoal, pastels, plaster, gold leaf, etc and you can find me skating on a frozen pond in the winter.
I played B flat and E flat clarinet for about 12 years in school bands, community bands, and clarinet choirs. I had always wanted to learn the harp. I currently play a 26-string full lever harp that I am still growing and learning on, and greatly enjoying... my dogs seem to enjoy listening, too. I also play the Native American flute.
I have been active in monarch butterfly raising and conservation. Monarchs are endangered. Only 5% survive to a full adult butterfly in the wild, due to roundup, pesticides, humans destroying their food sources, predators, etc. I raise them from eggs through super hungry caterpillars through chrysalis and finally their release back into nature as an adult butterfly. If you'd like to help out in the simplest way possible, plant some milkweed... if you're in my area, I have plenty of seeds to share!
I love to cook... and eat. I stick to organic, locally grown, locally raised whenever possible. Much of what I eat leans more toward paleo based.
For exercise, my favorite is Barre, which is a combination of barre, pilates, cardio, and yoga. I was never really into exercise gyms or running, so I'm thankful there are other options to achieve good physical health.
Growing up, I had just about every animal you can think of... dogs, rabbits, hamsters, canary, tropical fish, turtle, newts... except for cats. However, now, a bit unexpectedly, a cat came into my life after finding her as a very feral and ill kitten running down the highway. Originally I was planning on getting her healthy and finding a home for her, but she has fit in quit nicely into my own.
Caring for our planet is important to me, especially the animals that inhabit it. From my very first job at 15 years old, I began to donate $1 from every paycheck towards saving wildlife. My desire to help wildlife continued through to the present. I have visited sanctuaries and donated to charities. Most near and dear to my heart are wolves, big cats, sea turtles, butterflies and bees. I volunteer animal chiropractic care at a local wildlife center to aid animals being rehabbed so that they may return to the wild. My advice to anyone reading this is to find a cause that is near and dear to your heart and to do something to help, however big or small. The more people we have doing good things, of all kinds, the better our world will be.
(For professional, scroll down to my Curriculum Vitae.)
I reside in the western suburbs of Chicago in Aurora, IL. I met my husband in cadaver lab at Palmer College. We've been together since 2007, married in 2010. We have a sweet 13 year old border collie named Lolo, a 7 year old German shepherd named Onyx, a 2 year old Italian greyhound named Aria, a 4 year old cat named Kaboom, and a jibber jabbering 19 year old African grey parrot named Tequila. Also, always in my heart, an Italian greyhound named Bella who passed at 14.5 years- still running, jumping, and even hiking and rock climbing with ease until the end.
The underwater world is such an amazing place. I love to scuba dive, snorkel, and everything about the ocean. I could stay in there for hours. I became a PADI open water diver in 2003 and have loved every dive I've ever gone on, from bitter cold and deep wreck dives out in choppy international waters to nice warm and clear tropical dives.
I also enjoy going on trails out in nature, usually with a dog or two... or three. I find kayaking fun and relaxing, sometimes my Italian greyhound or border collie join me, in doggles and a life jacket, of course. ;)
I love learning about science topics (that is partly how I got into my field in the first place). I was an anatomy and physiology professor for a few years, teaching students going into various health fields, such as physician assistants, PTs, and nurses. However, I took off my teaching hat so I can focus on my patients.
My pets and I participate in activities. We train, do agility, trick dog, obedience, have dipped our feet in duck and sheep herding and swimming. Even the cat knows some tricks, such as jumping through a hoop, twirling, and giving paw. Although we are active, that's not to say we don't enjoy a lazy day cuddling in a giant dog and cat pile on the couch.
I have been involved in the arts most of my life. As a kid I was involved in figure skating, ballet, and art classes. Although not as often as the past, I still create art in various media, such as paint, pencil, charcoal, pastels, plaster, gold leaf, etc and you can find me skating on a frozen pond in the winter.
I played B flat and E flat clarinet for about 12 years in school bands, community bands, and clarinet choirs. I had always wanted to learn the harp. I currently play a 26-string full lever harp that I am still growing and learning on, and greatly enjoying... my dogs seem to enjoy listening, too. I also play the Native American flute.
I have been active in monarch butterfly raising and conservation. Monarchs are endangered. Only 5% survive to a full adult butterfly in the wild, due to roundup, pesticides, humans destroying their food sources, predators, etc. I raise them from eggs through super hungry caterpillars through chrysalis and finally their release back into nature as an adult butterfly. If you'd like to help out in the simplest way possible, plant some milkweed... if you're in my area, I have plenty of seeds to share!
I love to cook... and eat. I stick to organic, locally grown, locally raised whenever possible. Much of what I eat leans more toward paleo based.
For exercise, my favorite is Barre, which is a combination of barre, pilates, cardio, and yoga. I was never really into exercise gyms or running, so I'm thankful there are other options to achieve good physical health.
Growing up, I had just about every animal you can think of... dogs, rabbits, hamsters, canary, tropical fish, turtle, newts... except for cats. However, now, a bit unexpectedly, a cat came into my life after finding her as a very feral and ill kitten running down the highway. Originally I was planning on getting her healthy and finding a home for her, but she has fit in quit nicely into my own.
Caring for our planet is important to me, especially the animals that inhabit it. From my very first job at 15 years old, I began to donate $1 from every paycheck towards saving wildlife. My desire to help wildlife continued through to the present. I have visited sanctuaries and donated to charities. Most near and dear to my heart are wolves, big cats, sea turtles, butterflies and bees. I volunteer animal chiropractic care at a local wildlife center to aid animals being rehabbed so that they may return to the wild. My advice to anyone reading this is to find a cause that is near and dear to your heart and to do something to help, however big or small. The more people we have doing good things, of all kinds, the better our world will be.
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Curriculum Vitae
Current Work
Owner & Animal Chiropractor, Vitality Chiropractic Center - Aurora, IL - Oct 2010-present
Provide animal chiropractic care to dogs, cats, exotics and more
Animal Chiropractor, Autumn Green Animal Hospital - Geneva, IL - Mar 2013-present
Provide animal chiropractic care to dogs, cats, exotics and more
Naturopathic Carnivore Nutrition Consultant, Roaring for Raw - Aurora, IL - Dec 2014-present
Provide raw nutrition guidance to owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets
Partner, Farm 2 Bowl - Forrest, IL - Sept 2018-present
Providing premium prey-model raw food to the Chicagoland area
Past Related Work
Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, College of Dupage - Glen Ellyn, IL - 2011-May 2013
Taught anatomy and physiology lecture and lab to health profession majors, withdrew due to Autumn Green position
Volunteer Work
Animal Chiropractor, Fox Valley Wildlife Center - Elburn, IL - Jul 2011-present
Provide animal chiropractic care to native wildlife of Illinois, such as deer, raccoons, ducks, geese, hawks, owls, opossums, songbirds, doves, cottontails, snapping turtles, and more.
Past Related Volunteer Work
Animal Chiropractor, Naperville Area Humane Society - Naperville, IL - 2010-2011
Provided monthly visits of animal chiropractic services to the shelter's dogs and cats
Assist in Microbiological Research, Northern Illinois University - 2013-2015
Found participants who met criteria for the study of salivary and stool microbial strains comparing raw fed and kibble fed dogs, as well as swabs of participants to be used in the research study
Education
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL – May 2006
Doctor of Chiropractic, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA – February 2010
Animal Chiropractor, Parker College of Chiropractic, Dallas, TX – February 2010
Naturopathic Carnivore Nutrition Consultant, American Council of Animal Naturopathy, Rio Rancho, NM – December 2014
Intuitive Life Coaching Academy of the Third Eye, Dublin, CA -- March 2023
Certificates and Recognitions
Tau Beta Sigma, Honorary Music Service Sorority – March 2003
Phi Sigma, Honor Society for Promotion of Research in Biological Sciences – April 2005
Microbiology Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University – 2005-2006
Sigma Phi Chi, Promotion of Women in Chiropractic – May 2007
International Academy of Advanced Chiropractic Orthopedics Symposium on Upper Extremities – May 2006
International Academy of Advanced Chiropractic Orthopedics Symposium on Lower Extremities – February 2008
Clinical Internship, Noah’s Ark Chiropractic in Geneseo, IL – January 2008 – February 2010
Parker College of Chiropractic, Certificate in Animal Chiropractic – August 2009 – February 2010
Palmer Clinic Abroad, Humanitarian Service to the People of Nadi, Fiji – October/November 2009
Cranial Sacral Therapy for Animals – October 2012
President, Holistic Chamber of Commerce-Chicagoland – January 2013 – December 2013
Advanced Canine Gait Analysis Certificate – December 2013
Awards and Media
Featured Speaker at the Chicago Pet Show, Nov 2010
Featured on NCTV 17, Small Business Connection, Dec 2010
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business of the Year Award Nominee, 2011
Featured in the Naperville Sun, Chiropractors Help Humans and their Pets, 2011
Small Business of the Year Award Nominee, 2011
Featured on NCTV17 New Broadcast, "Starting a Small Business During a Recession," July 2011
Featured Speaker at the Chicago Pet Show, Nov 2011
Featured in “Chiropractic: Holistic Health from Head to Tail” in Naperville Dog Magazine, Jan 2012
Mentioned in the book Heads or Tails- a memoir, by David Sharos, Mar 2012
Featured in “Animal Chiropractic Success Stories” on Mercola Healthy Pets, Apr 2012
Featured in “Chiropractic Care for Your Pets” on SheKnows, Jun 2012
Awarded “Best Chiropractor” Winner in Naperville Magazine, Jul 2012
Featured Speaker at the Chicago Pet Show, Nov 2012
Elected President of Holistic Chamber of Commerce - Chicago Chapter, Jan 2013
Featured on "Pampered Pets" Episode on The Ladies Room, NCTV17, Jan 2013
Awarded “Best Chiropractor” Runner Up in Naperville Magazine, Jul 2013
Author of "Animal Chiropractic: An Alternative for Neurological Conditions" article in West Suburban Dog Magazine, Jul 2013
Featured Speaker at the Chicago Pet Show, Nov 2013
Awarded “Best Chiropractor" Runner Up in Naperville Magazine, Jul 2014
Featured in "What Does An Animal Chiropractor Do" on Drop In Local, 2014
Featured Speaker at the Chicago Pet Show, Nov 2014
Author of "Helping Pets Stay Happy and Healthy With Animal Chiropractic"article in West Suburban Dog Magazine, 2015
Featured in "Animal Chiropractic" in American Council of Animal Naturopathy Newsletter and Blog, 2015
Awarded "Best Chiropractor" Winner in Naperville Magazine, Jul 2015
Author of "Animal Chiropractic" article in Raw Pet Digest, 2015
Featured in "An Animal Chiropractor Can Help Improve Your Pets Life" on DogTube, 2015
Featured Speaker at the Chicago Pet Show, Nov 2015
Featured in "Spotlight On Health: Dr. Erin O'Connor" in Raw Pet Digest, 2015
Featured Speaker in "Helping Your Senior Dog Enjoy Their Golden Years" Seminar, Feb 2016
Awarded “Best Chiropractor" Winner in Naperville Magazine, 2016
Forward Author of Let Food Be Their Medicine: Using Nature's Principles to Help Your Dog Thrive by Kristin Clark, Aug 2017
Contributing Writer to the book, Sophie... best friends are forever by Ted Slupik, Oct 2017
Awarded “Best Chiropractor" Winner in Naperville Magazine, Jul 2017
Author of "Raising a Puppy Naturally" article in Raw Pet Digest, Aug 2017
Speaker at the Animal Wellness Summit, "5 Ways to Avoid Spinal Injury in Your Dog," Nov 2017
Speaker at the Animal Wellness Summit, "Raw Nutrition for Dogs and Cats," Nov 2017
Contributing Author to Raw and Thriving by Kristin Clark, May, 2018
Awarded “Best Chiropractor" Winner in Naperville Magazine, Jul 2018
Speaker at the Animal Wellness Summit, "Amping Up Your Raw Feeding Game," Nov 2018
Speaker at the Animal Wellness Summit, "Secret Weapons for the Canine Athlete," Nov 2018
Speaker at the Animal Wellness Summit, "Happy & Healthy Geriatrics," Jan 2020
Speaker at Academy for the Advancement of Animal Chiropractic Conference, "Top 10," Apr 2021
Speaker at Animal Chiropractic Education Source's Base Camp Pro, Coming Sept 2021
Certifications
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Certificate of Attainment, Part I – 2007
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Certificate of Attainment, Part II – 2008
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Certificate of Attainment, Part III – 2009
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Certificate of Attainment, Part IV – 2009
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Certificate of Attainment, Physiotherapy – 2009
American Veterinary Chiropractic Association Certified Animal Chiropractor – October 2010
American Council of Animal Naturopathy Certified Carnivore Nutrition Consultant – December 2014
Professional Memberships
American Veterinary Chiropractic Association
Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce
Young Professionals of the Naperville Chamber
American Council of Animal Naturopathy
Fox Valley Chamber of Commerce (Past)
Leading the Way Naperville (Past)
Teaching
Adjunct professor at College of DuPage, Health & Sciences Dept, Anatomy & Physiology, 2010-2013
Mentor for Palmer College Animal Chiropractic Club, 2010-present
Animal Chiropractic Student Preceptorship Program, 2014-present
